Cattle chute



P 1953 H. c. WHITWORTH 2,650,567

CATTLE CHILITE Filed Jan. 13, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. Henry G. Whjfworth ATTORNEY i P 1, 1953 H. c. WHITWORTH 2,650,567

CATTLE CHUTE Filed Jan.- 13, 1949 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Henry C. Whitwonh ATTQRN EY P 1953 H. c. WHITWORTH 2,650,567

CATTLE CHU'I'E Filed Jan. 13, 1949 SSheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. F 7 Henry G. Whitworth ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE CATTLE CHUTE Henry C. Whitworth, Scott City, Kans.

Application January 13, 1949, Serial No. 70,637

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a stock chute and more particularly to a chute that is adapted to confine animals such as cattle, horses and the like for purposes of dehorning, branding, and so forth.

Chutes for the above-mentioned purposes have been previously designed and the present application is intended to set forth improvements in the art as represented by theprevious designs. Specifically this application provides improvements inthe design for a stock chute as shown in my previous Patent No. 2,564,317, issued August 14, 195.1. Theimprovements herein incorporated are intended to make previous designs for stock chutes and the like more serviceable, easier to operate, more sturdy and more efficient.

It is an object of this invention to provide a stock chute of sturdy and rugged construction that maybe economically constructed and assem- It is a further object of this invention to proments and arrangements for positioning and pivoting the side walls and side bars thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide bars in said pivoted sides that may be moved out of a locked position in order to more readily reach various portions of the animals body and to further provide means for locking and disengaging said side bars as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a front gate for a stock chute that may be vertically adjusted and that carries novel means for adjustably positioning a nose bar clamp.

A 'stillfurther object of this invention is to provide novel means for supporting and adjusting theposition of ahead yoke arranged for cooperative use with said front gate which novel means is inclusive of a foot adjusted catch.

Another object of this invention is to provide anovel lever arrangement for moving the pivoted sides of said stock chute and further novel means for adjusting the position of said lever mechanism.

The foregoing and 'further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a front elevational view in partial section showing the general arrangement of a. stock chute and further showing the positioning of the pivoted sides when released and when engaged;

Fig. 2is aside elevational view further showing the features of this invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side 'elevational view in 2 partial section showing the head yoke elevating gear;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation in partial and in reduced section showing the arrangement of a hand wheel control for adjusting the elevation of said head yoke and further showing a catch and ratchet arrangements with foot control for maintaining the position of said head yoke.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view further showing the notch and ratchet arrangement of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view showing an arrangement of elements as used to clamp the nose bar in place;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view" in partial section of the bracket and notch clamp arrangement shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of the notch clamp shown in Figs. 6 and '7;

Fig. 9 is a slightly enlarged plan view in partial section showing the means used for engaging the opposite end of the nose bar;

Fig. 10 is a slightly enlarged plan view in partial section further showing the elements of the door catch as shown in Fig. 1';

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevation showing :the use of a pivoted side positioning member;

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along the line I2l2 of Fig. 11 further showing'the construction of the pivoted side positioning member of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elvation in partial section showing a slide arrangement for the head yoke of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevation showing the engagement of the head yoke in the upright guide rails;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view showing the arrangement of the upper support rail and side bars;

Fig. 16 is an elevation of the side bar and support rail of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along the line l'l-fl of .Fig. 15 further showing the arrangement of the cross bars and support rail; and

Fig. 18 is an elevational perspective view showing a lever engaging'member and separate spring actuated means for maintaining the lever in its engaged position.

Briefly stated the present invention provides a stock chute of generally rectangular frame structure upon which a pair of pivoted sides are arranged. A lever arrangement is provided for moving the pivoted sides inwardly to hold an animal therebetween or outwardly to release the animal and, for the purpose of adjusting the sides in accordance with the size of the animal to be held, a notch and latch arrangement is used to adjust the location of the pivot about which the sides are moved. For the purpose of further enclosing the animal in the chute, a swinging front gate and an elevatable back gate are provided.

In order to hold the head of the animal, the front gate is provided with means for vertically positioning the gate, and further means for engaging and holding a nose bar in adjusted and clamped position. A head yoke which may be raised and lowered by a hand wheel is arranged. for sliding engagement in the side rails of the frame structure and a foot actuated catch is provided to hold the head yoke in adjusted position. The nose bar previously mentioned is arranged for adjustable engagement in separate pivots mounted on the swinging door and the opposite end of the nose bar is engaged in a clamping mechanism that allows free adjustment of the positioning thereof. In addition, said clamping mechanism provides a lever release so that the pressure exerted by the nose bar on the nose of the animal may be readily released. The side bars which are mounted in the pivoted sides of this cattle chute are of novel construction and utility. These bars are provided with a T-shaped and arranged cross bar of such dimension that it will fit snugly over the outside edges of the support rail. A slot is cut in the top support rail so that when the bars are raised upwardly and turned through an arc they may then be lowered through the slot to an alternate position. In addition, if so desired, the bars may be raised and turned in another direction to disengage a catch formed on the bars so that the bars may be moved all the way out of and away from the support rails.

Referring now to the drawings the novel features of this invention as set forth above will be described in detail. In Fig. 1 it will be seen that this invention provides a stock chute generally designated l I which is made up of a general frame structure. The frame structure of stock chute II comprises a base platform support 52 upon which upright channel members I3 are formed. Angle members l4 joined together in a general A-frame arrangement interconnect the separate upright channel members it to complete forward frame support l6 and rear frame support !1. Flat plates 18 are welded to angle members M to provide support for bearing sup-. ports [9. Bearings is further provide support for a longitudinal lever Support shaft 2| which interconnects the front and back frame supports 16 and I1 respectively.

Movable sides 22 are arranged to move or swing inwardly and outwardly about pivots 23 and pivots 23 are adjustably positionable on platform l2. The means for adjusting the positioning of pivots 23 and therefore the means for adjusting the distance between the lower extremities of the movable walls 22 includes the use of a notched bar 24 which is slidably engaged between guide rails 26 rigidly mounted on platform !2. Pivoted latches 21 which are held by clamp members 28 are arranged for engagement with the notches 29 of notch bars 24. Thus whenever it is desired to change the positioning of the movable walls 22, latches 21 will be raised out of the engaged position, the notched bars 24 will be moved inwardly or outwardly as desired, and the 4 latches 21 will again be engaged to hold the pivots 23 in the desired position.

The upper extremities of the movable walls 22 are interconnected by a parallel linkage mechanism to the lever support shaft 2|. The aforementioned parallel linkage is inclusive of short links 3! pivotally connected to the upper extremities 32 of movable walls 22 by pivot pins and further pivotally connected to rotating bars 34 by pivot'pins 36. Rotating bars 34 are engaged with lever support shaft 24 such that rotation of the shaft 2| will cause rotation of the bars In order to rotate the shaft 2! and thereby cause the upper extremities 32 of the movable walls 22 to be moved toward or away from each other as necessary to hold or release the animal being treated, a lever extension 31 is used which is engaged with the shaft 2!. The lever 3'? has a catch member 38 angularly mounted thereon. Catch member 33 is arranged for engagement in V the notches 39 formed in the lever positioning rack 41 and lever positioning rack 41 is welded to the upright frame member IS. At the upper and lower extremities of the rack 4|, cylindrical tube portions 42 are welded to the upper extremities of the rack 4i and a rod member 43 is arranged for translatory movement in tube members 42. Rod member 43 is bent to parallel the plane of lever travel and springs 44 are provided for urging the rod into engagement with the lever 31. By means of this arrangement it will be seen that whenever the lever 31 is moved to the desired position and engaged in the selected notch 39, the rod 43 will tend to hold the lever in such selected position, and whenever it is desired to move the lever, the lever must first be moved sideways to overcome the tension of springs 44.

Other novel features of the movable side walls are shown in Figs. 2, 15, 16 and 17. In these figures the construction and arrangement of the walls themselves are fully set forth. In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the movable side walls comprise a framework made up of upright members 46 and upper and lower guide rails 41 and 43 respectively. In addition, below the lower guide rail 48 the upright members 46 are joined together by a metal plate 49 which serves as a kick panel whenever animals are held in the chute. Upper and lower guide rails 41 and 48 respectively provide support for side bars 5i. In the embodiments shown, the bars 5| are of a generally tubular cross section and they are arranged for engagement in circular holes 52 cut in the upper and lower guide rails 41 and 48. To keep the side bars 5| from falling through the upper rail support 41, a cross rod 53 is welded to the upper extremity of side bar 5| in a general T formation and the ends 54 of rod 53 are down-turned in such manner as to engage the sides of the upper support rail 41 when the T bar is turned so as to be across the support rail 41. An elongated slot 56 is cut in the upper support rail 41 so that the cross rod 53 will pass downwardly through the support rail after it has been raised and rotated out of its transverse position. When so raised and rotated side bar 5| may be lowered until the lower extremity of the side bar 51 comes into engagement with the platform l2. This alternate position for the side bars is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in this figure it will be apparent that the lowering of the side bar 5| will greatly facilitate the branding of an animal held between the movable side walls 22. If it is desirable to completely remove any of the side bars r 5| the bar may be raised, rotated through pproximately 45 until pin J58 passes through slot 156 and then the bar may be taken completely out.

As shown in Figs. .1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the cattle chute of this invention is provided with a front gate 59. Gate 59 is mounted on the upright channel member l3 through use of a hinge rod .6| which is rotatably engaged in upper and lower bearing socketsSZ. The gate 59 itself is formed integrally with tubular portions 63 which are adapted to fit around hinge rod Bl In order to allow for adjustments in the elevation of the door, tubular portions 63 fit loosely about hinge rod 6| so that the gate .59 maybe raised or lowered as desired with respect to the hinge rod 6|. In Fig. 1 the gate is shown in its lowest position.

However, from this view it will be apparent that structurally the gate itself is made up of a I fiat plate of metal 65 to which suitable reinforcing members .suchas tubular piece 61 are welded. As shown in Fig. 1 tubular piece 6! has a downward-1y extending U-shaped .notch .68 into which the head of an animal may be placed. For the purpose of securing the door in its closed position, a spring actuated .latch 69 is provided. Latch 69 is made up of an elongated rod .H to which a catch 12 .is affixed. .Rod 1| :passes through a brace 13 which serves further as a spring stop. A spring 14 is arranged atone end of rod so that it may be compressed between brace 13 and a collar 18 formed on rod 1|. A handle 11 attached to rod 1| is provided to aid the compression of spring 14 when it is desired to release catch 12. When .in the closed position the spring 14 tends to urge the catch 12 into engagement with the outer flange 18 of a channel piece 19 which is welded to upright channel member I3.

A nose bar 8| is provided for cooperative positioning with the notch 88 of door 59 and is arranged to be secured in any of several adjusted positions. For the purpose of making major adjustments in the positioning of nose bar 8|, a plurality of socket members 82 are welded to a forwardly extending brace 83. Socket members 82 are so arranged that a downwardly turned end 84 of nose bar 8| may be pivotally engaged in any one of the separated sockets 82 as desired. This arrangement for making major adjustments in the positioning of the nose bar 8| is best shown in Fig. 9. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the arrangement of a mechanism provided to make minor adjustments in the positioning of nose bar 8|. In this arrangement a catch 86 which is welded to an extremity of the nose bar 8| is arranged for engagement in the notches 81 of a pivoted notch bar 88. Pivoted notch bar 88 is supported by structural members 89 formed integrally with door 59 and is arranged for rotation about pin 9|. Guide members 92 extend outwardly from the door 59, and tubular section 93 is affixed to the outer extremities thereof. Guide members 92 are separated sufliciently so that notched bar 88 may be rotated therebetween and a spring 94 received in tubular section 93 acts against notch bar 88 to urge the bar upwardly past the guide members 92. A rod 96 formed on the lower surface of notch bar 88 is adapted for reception in cylindrical piece 93 and it acts as a further lease the nose bar, ,a separate lever 91 mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot 38 may be moved downwardly. When lever 91 is moved downwardly, an angularly disposed extension 99 of lever .81 is urged into engagement with notch bar .88. This engagement causes the notch bar 88 to be moved downwardly past the guide members 92 into a retracted position. When the notch bar :88 is in a retracted position, nose bar 8| may be swung outwardly to release the nose of the animal.

As further shown in Fig. 1 a head yoke ml is provided which may be urged downwardly to'hoid the head of theanimal. The features and operation of yoke |il| are best illustrated in 3, 4, 5,, l3 and 14. In'Fligs. l3and 14 guide followers L02 which are attached to the ends I83 of head yoke l'ill are .shown as received for reciprocal motion between the flanges H34 of upright channel member I3.

The mechanism ,for raising and lowering the head yoke bar .lllll and for adiustably positioning thesame is best shown in Figs. '1, 3, 4, and 5. In these figures it will be seen that a punched rack M35 is attached to the head yoke ml by bolts m5 or the like. Punched rack IE5 is arranged to cooperatively engage the spokes ill? of rotary .disc 1.88 and disc [.88 is attached to a rotating shaft 1.09 which .is in turn v journaled in bearings ill supportediby plate iii. A hand wheel H2 which is likewise engaged with shaft we is provided to rotate disc I88 and therefore to position head yoke .I'DJ.

A ratchet member H3 likewise attached to shaft Hi9 is used together with a foot actuated catch 1|?! to hold the head yoke in any selected and desired position. Catch 1 M is en- .gaged or releasedbymeans of a pivoted footpedal HS which urges .a rod Ii] attached to catch I Hi, to move upwardly or downwardly as desired.

A back gate H8 is also provided to further enclose any animals driven into the chute. Gate I I8 is adapted for reciprocal movement between the channel members |3 comprising the back frame H. To raise or lower gate ||8 a pulley is attached to the plate l8 and a cable H9 or the like is passed through the pulley and tied to the gate H8.

While one separate embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent from the foregoing description and the drawings that my invention is adaptable to various arrangements and changes. All such arrangements and changes are considered to be within the scope of this invention as set forth in the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A cattle chute comprising a platform, a channel frame structure having substantially arch-shaped frame members at the front and rear ends thereof, bearing members mounted on said arch-shaped members, a longitudinal shaft rotatably suspended between said bearing members, side wall sections pivotally supported on said platform, linkage means connecting upper extremities of said side wall sections to said longitudinal shaft, lever means connected to said linkage means for moving said side walls toward and away from each other, a gate slide formed of said channel frame members at the rear end of said chute, a gate mounted for reciprocal movement along said slide to adjustable elevations providing a closure for the rear end of said chute, a hinge rod at the front end of said frame, a door adapted to close off the front end of said chute, means for securing said door to the hinge rod in adjusted elevational positions for rotating movement about the pivot axis of said hinge rod, a slide formed of said channel frame members at the front end of said chute, a head yoke reciprocally mounted in said slide for cooperative use with said door, a gear and rack mechanism for raising and lowering said yoke, and a ratchet and catch mechanism for locking said yoke in desired positions.

2. A cattle chute comprising a platform, a channel frame structure having substantially arch-shaped frame members at the front and rear ends thereof, bearing members mounted on 'said arch-shaped members, a longitudinal shaft rotatably suspended between said bearing members, side wall sections piv-otally supported on said platform, linkage means connecting upper extremities of said side wall sections to said longitudinal shaft, lever means connected to said linkage means for moving said side walls toward and away from each other, a gate slide formed of said channel frame members at the rear end of said chute, a gate mounted for reciprocal movement along said slide to adjustable elevations providing a closure for the rear end of said chute, a hinge rod at the front end of said frame, a door adapted to close off the front end of chute, means for securing said door to the hinge rod in adjusted elevational positions for rotating movement about the pivot axis of said hinge rod, a slide formed of said channel frame members at the front end of said chute, a head yoke re ciprocally mounted in said slide for cooperative use with said door, a gear and rack mechanism for raising and lowering said yoke, a ratchet and catch mechanism for locking said yoke in desired positions, a plurality of socket members mounted on said door, a nose bar having one end thereof adapted for selective engagement in said sockets, and an adjustable spring loaded catch mounted on said gate adapted to engage the opposite end of said nose bar.

3. A nose engaging apparatus for cattle. chutes, comprising a brace member at one end of said chute having a plurality of pivot engaging socket members thereon, a nose bar having a downwardly turned end for selective engagement in said pivot engaging socket members, oppositely disposed guide members at the said end of said chute, a catch member having a plurality of notches therein rotatably mounted between said guide members, a spring for urging the notches of said catches into engagement with said nose bar, and a lever mechanism for engagement with said catch to move said catch out of engagement with said nose bar.

4. Apparatus for adjusting the positioning of the longitudinal side walls of a cattle chute having support members so as to accommodate large and small animals, comprising pivot members on the lower ends of said side walls, guide rails mounted on said support members adjacent the lower ends of said side walls and transversely to said longitudinal side Walls, a bar attached to each of said pivot members having notches therein slidably engaged between said guide rails, and a rotatable catch for selective engagement with the notches of said bar to hold said bar and side wall pivot in desired position.

HENRY C. WHITWORTH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 408,257 Pattee Aug. 6, 1839 733,874 Beck et al July 14, 1903 1,021,613 Lingwall lVIar. 26, 1912 1,227,712 Watson May 29, 1917 1,257,749 Selstrom Feb. 26, 1918 1,323,661 Urton Dec. 2, 1919- 1,487,935 Gray Mar. 25, 1924 1,502,155 OBrien July 22, 1924 1,560,888 Watt Nov' 10, 1925 2,084,255 Johnson June 15, 1937 2,136,008 Gregory Nov. 8, 1938 2,396,927 Parsons Mar. 19, 1946 2,i38,322 McDonough Mar. 23, 1948. 

